Have you ever expected house guests in the middle of a kitchen remodeling project? This was the situation I faced last week when two bottles of Merlot were due to arrive. Both wines are from highly respected producers that I’ve gotten to know. So, in a sense, I regard them as old friends rather than […]
Pairing Merlot while the kitchen is out of service (#winePW) Read More »
In the last couple of years, I’ve developed a real hankering for Syrah. As so often happens, I became a fan of Syrah while tasting northern Rhône wines. Then I moved to Washington state, home of highly prized Syrah, and experienced the intense, savory wines made from Yakima Valley and Walla Walla Valley grapes. All
Margaret River Shiraz kicks off virtual trip Down Under (#WorldWineTravel) Read More »
Until recently, I played my wine and food pairing cards conservatively. Rarely did I attempt to pair a red wine with poultry, for example. As for chocolate, which I love nearly as much as wine, I avoided pairing the two in fear sweetness in the chocolate would cause my dry wine to taste bitter. I
Wine or chocolate on your gift list? Why not pair them? Read More »
Washington state grows more Cabernet Sauvignon than any other grape. Merlot is the second most-planted variety. The stars seem aligned for Bordeaux-style blends. East of the Cascade Mountains, warm summers and dry harvest seasons favor late-ripening grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, the foundation for Bordeaux-style blends that showcase Washington state’s characteristic high acidity and aromatic fruit.
In Walla Walla, stars align for Bordeaux-style blends Read More »